Bialla township to access new water supply system

DURING dry season, most people in Papua New Guinea travel long distances to fetch drinking and cooking water for their families from the nearest river.
Rendela Solomon, 13, from Bialla in West New Britain and attends Bialla Primary School, says during the dry season she makes the trip three times a week.
“It’s hard work for me and sometimes I miss school,” she said.
“But the river is our only source of clean water.
“So I travel sometimes by myself and other times with my family to fetch water.
“Families and businesses in Bialla rely mostly on rainwater.
“Sometimes people with vehicles assist us.
“Other times they don’t so we have to pay K20 to go to the river to fetch water and carry back home.”
Under the new water supply and sanitation development project, the township of Bialla will soon benefit from the construction of a new water supply system.
The project is an initiative of the PNG Government supported by the World Bank.
The US$70 million (K223 million) project will deliver access to clean and reliable water supply services for thousands living in the nine provincial towns and 10 rural districts of Papua New Guinea.